Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring later this year when he takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Tyson hasn’t fought professional since retiring nearly twenty years ago after suffering two defeats on the spin to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.

He was last seen between the ropes when he faced Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition back in 2020. Although most though ‘Iron’ Mike had done enough to get his hand raised that night the contest was officially scored a draw as per the rules.

Recently, Tyson had to pull out of the initial fight date of July 20 with an ulcer flare-up but Paul decided to stay active and face former UFC fighter and bare knuckle champion Mike Perry.

The 10 and 1 boxer quickly showed he was levels above his opponent and, after scoring several knockdowns, got the stoppage in the fifth round.

Speaking to Boxing Social, Johnny Nelson, who sill holds the record as the longest reigning cruiserweight world champion of all time, said the experience gap will be huge.

“From day one I said for Mike Tyson, who’s the same age as me, and everyone know’s Mike Tyson’s experience, what he’s done, what he’s achieved and Jake Paul doesn’t even know what Mike Tyson’s forgotten.”

However, Nelson said the 30-year-age gap between the two will prove decisive and that the decision to take the fight could be a ‘bad move’ for the heavyweight icon.

“But the one thing you can’t cheat, the one thing you can’t buy, the one thing you can’t own is time, Mike Tyson’s best times are done. Even at the back end of his active career he knew he’d gone, his style suits a young active man, it suits a man in his twenties not a man that’s 57 years old, a younger persons energy levels are going to be ten times more than mine, so no matter how much experience I have on them their energy is going to be too much for me and that will be the same here.

If it’s about the money then go for it Mike, if that’s what it’s about, if it’s anything other than the money then you’re making a bad move.”

Paul vs Tyson will now take place on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and will be streamed live on Netflix.